A REVIEW from one ERROL in a Note to one GAVIN, 18 August 2019
The message I am receiving is that it is all over and Tim Paine already has the Ashes in his suitcase. Of course, this may well be true. However, I merely want people to hold on a moment because I would always back the side bowling fourth. I would hate to be the side chasing even one hundred to win a match. The nerves and tension are usually unbearable.
To give themselves a fighting chance England would do well to bat until lunch. That would make a real game of it. If the Aussies blow them away for another 10 runs then they deserve to lose. However, Stokes, Buttler and Bairstow with a bit of support from the bowlers should be able to stand up and offer a bit of bulldog spirit.
Archer yesterday did something extremely rare. He emptied the bar. There wasn’t a soul in the bar when he was bowling to Smith. The last man to empty the bar was KP who was born in South Africa. Archer, of course, was born in Barbados. The last Englishman to empty the bar was Botham.
Leaving ethnicity aside, this game could still provide bitten nails and umbrellas and even a heart attack or two. Just ask Tim Paine to postpone putting the Ashes in his bag until lunch!
Another time let’s see whether or not we give Roy and Denly another game and whether Root returns to number four.